For Immediate Release
eureka, illinois
November 18, 2008
young Red Devils nipped in final minute of season opener
Boxscore
Eureka College nearly pulled off an improbable win on opening night of the women's basketball season in Eureka as the Red Devils took a veteran group of Monmouth College Fighting Scots right down to the wire before surrendering by the count of 60-53. The young Red Devils put forth a lineup consisting of just two players that had ever played a game in an EC uniform, yet entered the final minute of action with the score knotted at 53.
The key shot of the game came from a most unlikely source, at least on this night. Lynsey Barnard, normally a key figure in the Monmouth attack, started the game 0-for-10 from the field, but found herself with the ball in her hands at the end of the shot clock and her team leading by two with 11 seconds to play.
But before Eureka could start drawing up any potential game-winning plays, Barnard canned a three-pointer from well behind the arc giving Monmouth a 58-53 lead with 10.3 seconds to go, essentially icing the game for the visitors. The Red Devils, who lost the ensuing in bounds pass, would go on to lose by seven points, ironically the largest margin either team trailed by all night.
Barnard need not look too far to find company in the cold shooting department. She could find plenty around her on the bus ride home as Monmouth could do little more than hope to get fouled and convert at the free throw line against the rugged Eureka defense.
"I was very pleased with how we played defensively," said Eureka head coach Abby Hearn. "That really sparked our energy and offensive play as well.
The Red Devils simply clamped down on the Fight Scots in the opening half, holding them to a 15.2 percent (5-for-33) clip from the field. Monmouth improved somewhat after intermission, but still only mustered 25.4 percent (18-71) for the game. They were, however, an impressive 81 percent (21-26) at the foul stripe, which could easily be looked at as the difference in the game.
Both defenses dominated the first half as well. Eureka was hand-cuffed by 16 turnovers, while Monmouth converted just five out of 33 field goal attempts. In fact, the Red Devils allowed just one field goal over the last 11:33 of the period. The largest lead either side gained was only five points. Monmouth led 19-14 with 2:38 remaining, but Lauren Snopek (Metamora, Ill./HS) brought Eureka to within 19-17 at halftime with three free throws down the stretch.
The Scots finally got some breathing room early in the second half as an 11-2 run opened up their biggest advantage of the night at 30-23 with just under 15 minutes to play.
Following a timeout, it was apparent that after they had played so well in the first half, the Red Devils were not about to give up that easily. Eureka went on to score 12 of the next 14 points of the game, giving EC a 35-32 lead past the midpoint of the second half. Playing in her first collegiate game, Chantaivia Knight (Normal, Ill./University) ignited the rally by scoring eight of her 14 points in the game during that five minute stretch that got Eureka back in the game.
Knight was hardly the exception, however, as she was one of three freshman Red Devils to record double figures in points forthe game. In all, freshmen accounted for 34 of Eureka's 53 points.
"We had some kids step up in key moments when we really needed them," added Hearn. "We got strong play from some freshmen in their first college game. It will be fun to see how they progress this season."
Junior transfer Lindsey Crum (Washington, Ill./HS) would certainly fit into the "players that stepped up in key moments category." Three times she moved Eureka ahead with a basket, including her put-back lay up with a little over two minutes remaining that gave EC a 51-50 lead.
After Monmouth pulled back in front 53-51, Liz Greger (Petersburg, Ill./PORTA) sank two free throws with 1:07 left to tie the game at 53. Eureka forced a missed shot on the next possession, but Tanesha Hughes grabbed the offensive rebound and made the shot to lift the Scots ahead 55-53. Eureka missed two free throws with 40 seconds to go setting up the trey by Barnard.
The Red Devils out-rebounded Monmouth 47-38. Knight led all players with 12 giving her a double-double. Her 14 points are the most by a Eureka freshman in a season opener in 10 years. Crum finished with 12 points and seven boards, while Greger and Lisa Byard (Morton, Ill./HS) each had 10 points with nine and six rebounds respectively. Snopek added six points, four rebounds and four assists. Eureka has now lost five consecutive season openers dating back to 2003.
Melissa Gorski led Monmouth with 19 points. She was just 3-for-13 from the field, but canned 13 out of 16 free throw attempts.
The Red Devils will next play their first road game of the season, Wednesday, November 26 at 7:00 pm against Concordia University Chicago in River Forest.
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For More Information Contact:
Bryan Moore
Sports Information Director
Eureka College
300 E. College Avenue
Eureka, Illinois 61530
309-467-6456
bmoore@eureka.edu
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